Here are a couple sneak images of our new Jointmaker Pro v2 and the brand new Jointmaker SW. Don’t tell anybody you saw them here first–I could get fired.

The image below is the Jointmaker Pro v2. The difference between the JMP and the v2 is in the linear table mechanism–the JMP v2 uses linear ball bearing sliders for a more efficient (less effort) user experience. In addition this version runs dry, meaning there is no lubrication required. Full info will be posted on our web catalog in the next couple of days. The retail price will remain at $1195 and the optional stand is $195.

The Jointmaker SW is pictured below. This version employs one linear table and one static table. It will make all of the cuts of the JMP (some not as convenient) for much less $$$. The JM-SW will retail for $795 and the optional stand is $189.00 More details will be posted on our web store in the next couple of days and most of the Q & A regarding our entire Jointmaker line can be found on the JMP user forum.

Existing owners of the JMP can upgrade to the JMP v2 by purchasing the upgrade kit below. It will be available for $395.

We are excited about the continued development of the Jointmaker line. All of the above are “Make to Order” items and will be available in March/April, 2010. Full ordering details will be available on our web store early this week.

And if I get fired for leaking these images it’s your fault.

–John

For all of you who are till suffering from the sleepy after-effects of tryptophan, here’s a little movie of the new Jointmaker SW (single wing for inquiring minds).

We will fill you in with all the details next Tuesday.

And I promise the new Jointmaker Pro v2, the Pro v2 Upgrade Kit and the Jointmaker SW will all be available for pre-sale ordering next week–or my name is Herman Sir Fransky.

–John

Sometime tomorrow or Friday (Nov. 20th) we will update our website to accept pre-orders for the new JMP v2 and the new Jointmaker SW.  In addition, we will also be able to take orders on upgrade kits (JMP to JMP v2) for existing JMP owners. Here’s a little behind the scenes info…

The original design criteria of the JMP was to create a tool that was capable of gallery quality cuts without dust collection, and with so little noise one could listen to music. And the original JMP could do this and more. However, no product is perfect and no designer/engineer can rest until all little details are addressed…

The original JMP linear motion tables used sliding dovetails and one aspect of sliding dovetails are the incredibly tight tolerances–the parts are expensive to make and the sliders need lubrication. In addition, the sliders were ever so slightly hygroscopic which means combined with tight tolerances, the tables needed to be adjusted with humidity swings. The JMP v2 addresses these areas.

The Jointmaker Pro v2 is identical to the JMP in every way with the exception of the linear table design–the JMP v2 features a recirculating linear bearing system (the bearings follow a closed loop). They do not need adjustment (factory assembled) and they do not require lubrication. The main advantage is they are easier to use (much less friction) at the expense of a bit more noise.  The bearings are acetyl which are much quieter than steel bearings–we are thrilled with the results. This version feels effortless and is easily used with one hand working the tables.

About the upgrade kits: They will cost $395 (delivered) and include new rails, adapter plates, tables, and fences. They fasten perfectly to all existing JMP’s. Installation involves removing the screws that hold the original dovetail rails in place, lift out the old rail system and replace with the new–a ten minute chore.  Add another ten minutes to align the two new tables planer with each other.  We will post a detailed video of this process on the JMP forum on our website.

I would like to add that NOBODY needs to upgrade–the cuts and results are identical on both versions. That said, we are only going to make this upgrade kit available once.

The JMP v2 will retail for $1295 and we are forecasting delivery in April, 2010.  The inclined stand (a great accessory) will remain $195.

The JMP SW (Single Wing) is big news. Rather than utilizing two sliding tables that are bridged (for most cuts), this saw works similar to most sliding table saws–there is one sliding table and one static table.

The JMP SW blade will tilt 45 degrees in one direction, and 15 degrees in the other (for dovetail work).  It will make all the cuts of the JMP and the JMP v2. The difference is in the jigging–edge miters for example, can only be cut accurately with the long face down.  And there is a bit more thought for some cuts where the falloff needs to be supported. The video we are going to release should address most of these cuts. The JMP SW has the exact same cutting capacity of the JMP but occupies a smaller footprint.

We are targeting the JMP SW for $795 delivered (unassembled). The accessory stand is DIFFERENT than the JMP but will be available for $195. All will be delivered next April.

My candid impressions comparing the two versions? Thanks for asking–having lived and breathed with this device over the past three years, I really like the JMP v2 for all the obvious reasons, not the least of which it carries our “Pro” designation (less jigging hassles, better opportunities for sub-tables). However, for the casual user, the JMP SW is clearly 90% of the JMP v2 and $500 bucks less expensive. I suspect we will sell 3-4 JMP SW’s for each JMP v2. Both do gallery quality joint cuts (ZERO chisel paring or router plane work). The blades are the same.

That’s all for now–if you have questions or comments, feel free to ask them here but we would prefer you use the JMP forum for the benefit of those who don’t follow my incredibly hilarious blog.

Thanks–

–John

“He who approaches the temple of the Muses without inspiration in the belief that craftsmanship alone suffices will remain a bungler and his presumptuous poetry will be obscured by the songs of the maniacs.” – Plato

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I started this project a year ago to coincide with our 25th anniversary, but the economy got in the way—In the spirit of eternal optimism here is the back story…

Way back in the mid 70′s I met Joe Felzman, a freshly minted young photographer from the Brooks Institute. I was teaching high school at the time but I really wanted to be a furniture maker and of course I had no money.  I needed a portfolio to enter shows and  this was way more difficult than I imagined… today I am proud to say that I turned out to be one crappy photographer.

Joe shot my furniture portfolio from 1976 to 1983 (some of his images of my pieces are posted in our Design Showcase) and when my furniture making days morphed into tool making, Joe shot all of the Bridge City catalogs—several of which have won meaningful awards.  It only seemed logical to celebrate his talent and the synergy we experienced by producing  “The Tools of Bridge City Tool Works: 25 Years Through the Lens of Joseph Felzman”.

Like our tools, this book will be different—it not only is a chronicle of Bridge City tools, is is also a celebration of photography by an extraordinarily talented photographer. For this effort, I have pulled from my personal collection every tool we have produced over the past 26 years (plus a couple that have never seen the light of day) and Joe is shooting all new imagery. We will include all the catalog covers, ancillary stories and other assorted tales from the past 25 years. From brass and rosewood to black chrome…it will all be included.

Karen Matheson is doing the graphic design and Jay Maisel (who was recently declared by a leading photography journal the greatest living photographer on the planet) has penned the forward. Chris Schwarz, of Popular Woodworking has signed on to fix all of my syntax and grammatical errors and all that is left is my part–writing and funding.

The purpose of this post is to offer you an opportunity for suggestions that we may have overlooked.  This project is 6-10 months away, maybe longer considering my history of promises…

Meanwhile, here is a pic of the cover and an inside spread and we look forward to your suggestions.

–John